Mitski Quotes

Powerful Mitski for Daily Growth

About Mitski

Mitski Miyawaki, professionally known as Mitski, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist born on August 21, 1994, in New York City to Japanese immigrant parents. Raised primarily in Mullican County, Tennessee, Mitski's musical journey began early as she learned to play the viola at the age of six. Inspired by the likes of Fiona Apple, Joanna Newsom, and Jimi Hendrix, Mitski honed her skills as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, mastering various instruments such as the guitar, piano, drums, and bass. After graduating from Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul, South Korea with a degree in Musical Theatre and Music Composition, she returned to the United States to pursue her music career. Her debut album, 'Lush,' released in 2014, was a critically acclaimed indie pop record that showcased Mitski's raw emotionality and storytelling abilities. Her sophomore album, 'Bury Me at Makeout Creek,' followed in 2015, which solidified her position as a rising star in the independent music scene. In 2018, Mitski released 'Be the Cowboy,' an introspective and emotionally charged album that received widespread acclaim. The lead single, "Geyser," was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song, marking a significant milestone in her career. Mitski's music often explores themes of identity, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, making her a relatable figure to many. Her powerful live performances and intimate songwriting have earned her a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim. In addition to her music, Mitski is also known for her visual artistry, which plays a significant role in both her album covers and stage presence. As Mitski continues to evolve as an artist, she remains a compelling figure in the indie music world, pushing boundaries and captivating audiences with her poignant lyrics and captivating melodies.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I am not a tree in a quiet forest, but if you listen you can hear my leaves rustle."

This quote suggests that, like a tree in a quiet forest, Mitski may seem to be isolated or peaceful on the surface. However, her emotions, thoughts, and experiences (symbolized by the rustling leaves) are complex and active, even if they are not immediately apparent. It emphasizes that it's essential to pay attention and listen to understand the depth and richness of an individual's inner life.


"Lonely, but I'm not lonely, not when I got all these people around me."

This quote expresses a complex emotional state where the individual feels physically alone (lonely), yet they are surrounded by people. The "not lonely" part suggests that despite their physical proximity to others, there's an emotional disconnect or lack of genuine connection. The speaker may be yearning for deeper relationships or empathy, despite having a social network. It underscores the importance of quality connections over quantity in addressing feelings of loneliness.


"I think the most tragic thing that can happen to a person is to stop loving themselves first and foremost."

This quote by Mitski underscores the importance of self-love and its impact on an individual's overall wellbeing. When one stops loving oneself, they may experience a profound sense of loss, as the absence of self-love can lead to feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, and a diminished capacity for happiness. This tragic state not only affects the person emotionally but also impairs their ability to navigate life's challenges effectively. Building and maintaining self-love is crucial for personal growth, resilience, and overall mental health.


"I was never sad because I had no singing voice. I was never sad because I couldn't dance. I was sad because I couldn't love."

This quote suggests that for the speaker, the inability to express love is a deeper source of sadness than any other personal limitations or obstacles they may face, such as losing their voice or not being able to dance. It implies that love is a powerful and fundamental human need, and its absence can cause profound sadness and emotional pain.


"You and I could write the Great American Novel, but then again we could just die instead."

This quote suggests a duality in life's experiences. On one hand, there's a profound potential for creativity and connection between two individuals (writing the Great American Novel), symbolizing the power of human expression, love, and shared understanding. On the other hand, the statement also hints at a sense of melancholy or resignation, as life can be fleeting and the act of creation might not seem important enough compared to the possibility of death. It underscores both the beauty and pain inherent in human relationships, as well as our limited time on this earth. Ultimately, it invites us to ponder the balance between the pursuit of creativity and the acceptance of life's fragility.


I understand that, because there are so many musicians, you have to make artists into brands, but I sometimes feel like I have to be some kind of non-human icon in order for people to listen to my music.

- Mitski

Kind, Some, Like, Brands

Often I've had problems automatically bending to a lover's will, becoming what I know they want me to be. Immediately, I learn all the music they love, listen to it, study it, instead of being like, 'This is what I love!'

- Mitski

Love, Study, Becoming, Automatically

Whenever I've tried to ingratiate myself to an existing community, I tend to give too much, to become whatever it is they want me to be. It's something I do automatically - I've learnt to immediately adapt.

- Mitski

Myself, Want, Give, Automatically

I have a very conveniently photographic memory of emotions - it's overwhelming, because things don't fade for me.

- Mitski

Memory, Emotions, Very, Conveniently

I've been asked whether I have a hobby, and have felt strangely offended that anyone would assume I have the time.

- Mitski

Offended, Been, Felt, Hobby

I don't really listen to pop-country, but I like really, really old country that's closer to folk. Like Johnny Cash, who is considered country.

- Mitski

Country, Old, Like, Johnny

I remember I took a music course in junior year of high school, and some girl brought in 'Teardrops On My Guitar,' and she was like, 'Isn't this song great?' And everyone was like, 'Who's Taylor Swift?' And now, every time I listen to Taylor Swift, I remember that moment.

- Mitski

I Remember, Some, Brought, Junior

Being an outsider at all times is both unhealthy and useful, because you become much more objective about things.

- Mitski

More, About, Being, Unhealthy

I don't think 'bleak' is a bad thing.

- Mitski

Think, Bad, Bad Thing, Bleak

I lived abroad most of my life in insular international communities.

- Mitski

My Life, Most, Abroad, Insular

When I record, it's this very precious and insular thing.

- Mitski

Precious, Record, Very, Insular

I think my whole identity is formed around not knowing where I'm from. It might even be that I find comfort in that confusion.

- Mitski

Think, Might, I Think, Confusion

I guess you can say I 'do the Twist.' I like playful dance moves that aren't too serious.

- Mitski

Like, Guess, Too, Twist

I didn't fit in anywhere when I grew up, but I was always American, so to survive, I created this 'ideal America.' Finally I came to the U.S. and realised, 'Oh, I don't belong here, either.'

- Mitski

American, Here, Belong, To Survive

It's nice to know there's a big world with many perspectives. I tend to get so stuck in my own small world easily, and going out into the world reminds me that I'm not the center of the world - in a good way.

- Mitski

Small, Big, Own, Reminds

I'd always been fascinated by death, which sounds so morbid. Especially being a woman trying to make music, I think there's a sense that you're never young enough, or your career is going to end soon.

- Mitski

Career, Been, I Think, Morbid

I hope to be a writer and musician my whole life, fingers crossed.

- Mitski

Hope, Writer, Whole, Crossed

You always want what you can't have, and that all-American thing, from the day I was born, I could never enter that dream. That all-American white culture is something that is inherited instead of attained.

- Mitski

I Was Born, Always, Could, All-American

I'm Japanese, and I'm also white American, and neither camp wants me in their camp.

- Mitski

White, Japanese, Neither, Camp

I think it's our responsibility as artists to not only fight for our art but fight for the communities that are the reason we're able to continue making art, especially since, in Brooklyn's case, we as artists somehow made it 'cool' enough for the bigger money-making industries to start taking over.

- Mitski

Reason, I Think, Our, Industries

Music was the one thing that was just mine, and no one could take it from me. I created it, dictated it, and it made me not able to let go of it.

- Mitski

Could, Mine, Created, Dictated

When you're an adult, things mellow out. I think when you're a teenager and you are sad and the world is ending, everything is about that one sadness.

- Mitski

Think, I Think, Mellow, Teenager

A lot of musicians talk about how they were into music from the start; they always wanted to be musicians. It wasn't like that for me. I didn't think of it as a job or a career - it was just something that was constant.

- Mitski

Career, Think, Always, Just Something

I've been very careful to always make clear that I am a real person. That's why I'm on social media a lot.

- Mitski

Always, Been, Very, Social Media

Miyazaki movies were what I was raised on. I've watched them since I was very young, and I've been greatly shaped by them.

- Mitski

Young, Been, Very, Greatly

I try to be regimented and try to stay healthy and work out and eat properly and go to sleep. And not get too caught up in the industry in my regular life, so I can save all my expression and energy for my art.

- Mitski

Caught, Industry, Save, Regular

Everything is so chaotic and messy in the world, and I have always felt kind of dirty.

- Mitski

World, Dirty, Always, Chaotic

When you're young is the one time when you get to indulge in being morose and take yourself most seriously.

- Mitski

Seriously, Young, Being, Indulge

On tour, people know that if they ever ask me what I want to eat, I will always say Asian food. I'm becoming a stereotype, but it's what I want to eat. I want to eat rice.

- Mitski

Will, Always, Becoming, Stereotype

Being an outsider makes you a really good writer.

- Mitski

Good Writer, Makes, Being, Outsider

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